I'm Waiting

Peyton took in a deep breath and then gently knocked on her psychiatrist's door. Within moments she was greeted by an older woman.

"Ah, you must be Peyton. I'm Dr. Johnson. Please come in."

"I guess this is it." Peyton sighed and followed the woman into her office.

Dr. Johnson took a seat at her desk and gestured for Peyton to sit in a chair adjacent to hers. Peyton sat down and after a few minutes of silence, finally spoke. "God knows I've probably needed to over the years, but I've never seen a shrink before. I'm not too sure how this is suppose to work."

"Well why now? Why are you here to see me today?"

"I'm not sure." Peyton answered honestly as she got up from her chair, headed toward the window and began staring aimlessly outside at the rainy San Francisco streets. "Maybe it's because, while I've been able to live with what's happened to me in my past, I'm afraid that I'll never be able to come to terms with what happened with…"

"Your son?"

"Yeah" Peyton replied whispering.

"And why do you think that is?"

"Because" said Peyton turning her attention back to the doctor. "If Lucas hadn't done what he did, my son might still be here today."

"So you blame your husband for your son's death? Am I understanding you clearly?"

"I'm trying hard not to. I really am. But, I can't help it. He had to make a decision regarding our son's life and he made the wrong one. Now he's dead and no matter how much I wish I could just forgive Lucas for the choice he made, I don't think I can."

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Back in Tree Hill…at the Rivercourt

"The score is tied, 20-20. Next basket wins the game. Lucas Scott has the ball. He dribbles in for a lay up, goes to dish it off to Nathan, but no! Skills steal it! Skills now has the ball, goes for a three…oh it's in and out, but Quentin's there to rebound it and he dunks the ball!" Skills and Q win again! Their fourth victory in a row over the Scott brothers!! This is absolutely incredible. Never have I seen the Scott brothers lose so many games--"

"Enough Mouth!" Nathan interrupted, giving him an evil glare.

"Oh come on Nate, it's not Mouth's fault you and Luke suck." Skills said laughing.

"Daddy doesn't suck!" Jamie yelled out angrily to Skills. "Just Uncle Lucas."

"Hey Jamie, that wasn't very nice!" Nathan admonished. "Apologize right now."

"There's no need for that Nathan" said Lucas as he attempted to take a jump shot and aired the ball. "Jamie's absolutely right. I stink."

Skills spoke up "You've got more important things on your mind Luke. We all get that. You know, why don't we just call it a day."

"That's fine by me" said Quentin as he packed up his bag. "I got a history paper to write anyway."

Mouth checked his watch "And I'm suppose to be meeting Millie for a late lunch."

"Yeah and I gotta get Jamie home so he can finish his homework up before Haley gets back from the studio."

Lucas started to dribble his basketball "Alright, well I'll catch you guys later. I'm gonna stay and shoot around for a little bit."

"You sure you want to hang around here by yourself? Nathan asked. "You know you're more than welcome to come hang with me and Jamie."

Lucas smiled half-heartedly "Thanks, but it's ok, you all go."

The guys looked at him skeptically.

"I'll be fine." Luke said, trying to sound reassuring. "Now get going."

"Aight" said Skills "But call if you need us."

"I will."

And then they were gone. Lucas continued to dribble around, take a few more shots, bad shots, when he became slightly startled by an unexpected, yet familiar voice.

"Looks like your game could use a little work."

Luke turned around and smiled at the presence that stood before him.

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At Peyton's music studio

"Hey tutor wife" Brooke spoke out cheerily as she entered the studio. "What are you up to?"

"Nothing too much" said Haley as she skimmed through some discs. "Just listening to a few demos. Why what's wrong?"

"Why do you think something's wrong?"

"Because you wouldn't have come over here to see me if nothing was wrong. Especially since your coming over to my house for dinner tonight. You're still coming, right?"

"Yeah, yeah. That's not what I came over to talk to you about."

"Ha! So there is a reason you stopped by to see me! Spill."

Brooke rolled her eyes "Ok, ok. Well I know I promised I'd take Jamie to the zoo this Saturday and I--"

Haley interrupted "You promised to take him Brooke! He's been looking forward to this for weeks."

"Oh I still want to take him. I just wanted to know if I could do it tomorrow instead."

"That'd be alright" Haley said relieved. "But why can't you do it on Sunday?"

"I've decided to go to L.A. Fashion Week. I'm taking the red eye tomorrow night."

"But I thought that fashion week doesn't start for another week? Why are you leaving so early?"

"I just…" said Brooke, trying to think of a convincing reason.

"You want to stop by San Francisco and see Peyton, don't you?"

"Well yeah you know, I'd thought I would go and see her since I'm gonna be practically right next door to her in L.A."

"Brooke, San Fran is six hours away from L.A."

"By car! It's less than a hour by plane!"

Haley sighed "That's not the point Brooke. I mean, I know that Lucas is the one Peyton's upset with, but it doesn't mean she wants any of us around while she's trying to figure things out."

"Maybe you're right, but if there's even the slightest chance that she might want me, her best friend, around…I want to be there for her. I'm going to be."

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Back at the Rivercourt…

Lucas dropped his basketball ball and went in for a hug "Mom, I've missed you so much."

Karen hugged her son tightly "I've missed you too."

"Are Lily and Andy with you?"

"No unfortunately. Lily got the chicken pocks at the last minute. Andy's with her. I hated leaving, but I really wanted to come and visit; see how your doing. So...how are you doing?"

"I dunno" said Lucas as he took a seat on the bench. "I mean, things between Peyton and I haven't gotten worse, but they're definitely not better."

"Have you talked with her much lately?" Karen asked as she sat down next to Lucas.

"Not much at all. A little bit here and there. Mainly about Anna. It doesn't go much deeper than that."

Lucas and Karen sat in silence for a moment before Lucas finally spoke "Do you really think things will get better?" he asked honestly.

Karen thought carefully before answering "I think they will. But, only if you continue believing that they will. I know it doesn't seem like it, but Peyton…she doesn't want you to stop fighting for what the two of you have. And the moment she sees that you've given up, she'll give up."

"It sometimes feels as though she has already."

"But she's making an effort Lucas." Karen responded, trying to reassuring. "It may not be the best way…but it's hers."

"And I'm trying to respect that I am. It's just hard."

"I know Luke. I know."

"But I'm willing to wait for her. I wasn't willing to before, when I first asked her to marry me and she asked me to wait. I almost lost her once because I was selfish. I won't make that same mistake twice. I'll be here waiting for her this time…for as long as she needs me too."

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Bring! Bring!

Peyton, after just finishing up her first session with Dr. Johnson, searched desperately through her purse in search of her cell as she walked the busy streets of San Francisco, back to her dad's house.

"Hey Dad."

"How did it go today?"

"It went" Peyton answered sarcastically. She quickly realized that probably wasn't the best response to give so she decided to re-answer "I mean…It was ok I guess, it's just…I don't feel like anything's been resolved after that appointment."

"Well you can't expect things to be better after one visit Peyton. You have to keep going."

"Yeah, yeah I know. How's Anna?" Peyton asked changing the subject.

"She's good. She's asleep right now. Do you need me to pick you up?"

"No, that's ok. I'm walking back now. See you soon." And with that Peyton hung up her phone, threw it back in her purse and continued walking. A few minutes later her phone began ringing again.

"Ugh!" Peyton screamed out in frustration as she once again began searching her purse for her phone. "Hello?" she answered agitatedly.

"Peyton it's Luke"

She sighed slightly "Hey Lucas"

"How was your visit today?"

"Alright I guess" Peyton answered honestly. "I mean, It wasn't as bad as I thought—"

It was at that moment that Peyton, half-heartedly paying attention to where she was walking, ran smack dab into a pole

"Owww!!"

"Peyton what happened?" Lucas asked worriedly over the phone.

"Ugh…I just ran into a pole" Peyton responded dizzily from the ground, rubbing her head.

"Are you alright miss?" a voice coming from behind her asked. "Do you need a hand?"

"No, I think I'll be ok" Peyton said as she got up. "But thanks any--"

Peyton's voice became temporarily paralyzed as she came face to face with the thoughtful young stranger who had been so eager to help her. She instantly realized that this was no stranger. "Oh my gosh."

Lucas, still on the line, began shouting "Peyton! What's going?"

"Nothing, nothing I'm fine, but I have to call you back." Peyton hung up the phone and walked toward this familiar stranger.

"Peyton Sawyer!"

"Jake Jagielski!"

"It's been too long Peyton" Jake said smiling as he gave Peyton a hug.

"Much too long" Peyton whispered into his ear.

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This title chapter comes from The All-American Rejects song, I'm Waiting. Sorry for such a long wait! I've been busy and I have had major writer's block. I know how I want this story to end, but filling in the gaps is harder than I thought! I hope you all liked it. Oh, and while this is mainly going to be about Lucas and Peyton, I have a pretty interesting idea for a Naley subplot. You all let me know if you're interested and if enough people seem to like the idea, I'll add it in. I honestly don't know when I'll post my next chapter. Hopefully really soon. Please, please review!! They keep me motivated. Anyway, here's some previews until next time (though subject to change)

Next Chapter…

Lucas is on the hunt for an assistant

Brooke arrives in San Francisco

Peyton and Jake spend some time together. How will their reunion effect her relationship with Lucas?